2009 Advisor
MikeMaroon
Chattanooga, TN

I knew if I had my chance, that I could make those people dance.

5 star rating

Open-minded, fun loving, a classic rocker, listening to country, rock fan
Pros

    Great Music!, Timeless classics!, I love them all!

Cons
    There are none!

FEB
7
2008
Yessir, I'm just crazy enough to put forth my very own definative list of the best songs I've ever heard. Actually, that list is VERY long so I limited myself to 17, and it was hard to stop there. Why 17? Well, everybody does a top 10 or 15 or 20 and I'm never like anyone else any other time. Why should this be different? I have all these songs compacted on one CD that I throw into my changer in the truck all the time. I never get tired of hearing it.

Why am I doing this sort of review? Cause I like to. AND, I hope it will generate some discussion and maybe I'll find out some of your favorite songs and they'll become favorites of mine. Now, I warn you, there only two songs on here recorded in the past 10 years. That's because, while I listen to newer music, I just haven't found anything in that time that rocked my world like these songs.

So, to any of you who read this and think, "That's some old white dude who doesn't appreicate today's music and only listens to old crap", I say, remember what one of the legendary musical geniuses of our time, Ray Charles, once said. He said, "There's only two kinds of music. The good kind and the bad kind". Oh, and "You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny". Ray Charles didn't say that. I did. :)

1. American Pie- Don McLean: This song caused a nice little stir in 1971, as people tried to figure this allegorical prose out like it was a Rubik's Cube. McClean never said, but I think it's about someone writing a song while smoking crack...that's just me. I never fail to sing along with this and it really used to piss me off when they would play the 4 minute, short by a whole verse, version on the radio. Give me the 8 minute song or nothing at all!!! Besides, no angel born in Hell could break that Satan's spell......

2. Rocket Man- Elton John: What's not to love about this classic? Typically cryptic Taupin verse brought to life by Elton's lonely melody with a soaring chorus. Will I ever stop listening to this song? I think it's gonna be a long, long time......

3. Let's Stay Together- Al Green: Yep, the REVEREND Al Green, same man who inspired "Walking In Memphis", had a couple of little hits hisownself. You will never hear more heartfealt devotion and soul. Take this song off my list? You wouldn't do that to me, would you baby??

4. Go Your Own Way-Fleetwood Mac: Listen, I just like hearing Lindsey Buckinham's distinctive voice and this Mac song showcases it well. Besides, it's kind of "in your face" and I like that in a song. If you don't like that...well...refer the song title.

5. Sweet Child of Mine- Guns N Roses: If they had never done another album, GNR would be legendary for this song, one of the best rock songs ever, although a line from it seems, in hindsight, to foreshadow their career, "Where do we go now?".

6. Burning Love- Elvis Presley: I call it the "Elvis saved the best for last" song. He really give his last single everything he had and its a joy to listen to.

7. The Devil Went Down to Georgia-The Charlie Daniels Band: A country song hit #3 on the pop charts in 1979 and made Mr Daniels a household name. But why did the devil go down to Georgia? Well, he was looking for a soul to steal because he was in a bind, was way behind and willing to make a deal. Don't you know ANYTHING??? Besides, the chickens were in the bread pan picking out dough...

8. Maggie May-Rod Stewart: For those who know him only as that guy who made those "American Songbook" records, you missed the real Rod the Mod, who was a rocker. I bought this on 45 and played it so much, my mother later told me she was tempted to walk into my room, grab it from the record player and smash it into little pieces JUST so she wouldn't have to hear it anymore. Or, "MAGGIE!! I wish I'd never seen your face!"

9. Love Shack-The B-52s: Go ahead, tell me you've never done the funky chicken to this one. Liar. "Tinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn ROOF! Rusted!"

10. You Make My Dreams-Hall & Oates: Man, I love these guys! Their version of Philly soul mixed with mainstream pop brought them success and us some really catchy soulful songs. I like this one best. Cause you......well, you know...

11. You Never Even Call Me By My Name-David Allen Coe: Always a crowd favorite at country night when I was a DJ, this has the added bonus of containing the "perfect" country/western song. Besides, I really was drunk the day my mom got out of prison......

12. Sunday Morning Coming Down-Johnny Cash: Kris Kristofferson wrote it and Johnny Cash made it a classic country tear-jerkin' song. Some of the most honest lyrics you will ever hear and and one I imagine has tugged the emotions of struggling addicts everywhere.

13. The Rising-Bruce Springsteen: This song just inspires me, has since I was blown away by his performance of it on Letterman, which was the first time I heard it. Written in the aftermath of 9/11, its an uplifting anthem of "we will not be defeated"...Hey, come 'on up for the rising.......

14. Start Me Up-The Rolling Stones: Just a great showcase for Mick. But hey? Is this about a motorcycle or a woman? Oh yeah, either one can make a grown man cry......

15. Steamroller Blues-James Taylor: Most have never heard Sweet Baby James like this. His roots are bluesy and the song is sassy with all kinds of innuendo you won't find on "You Got A Friend". I love groovin with the funky JT. Hey, he's a napalm-bomb. Guaranteed to blow your mind!

16. Beautiful Day in the Cold Cruel World-The Warren Brothers: A reminder that every day above ground is a good day and living and dying are just part of it, the same sun shines on us all. "Somebody's living and somebody's dying/I'm just a guy in love with a girl/It's a beautiful day in the cold cruel world" All we can do is live life the best we can.

17. Hey Jude-The Beatles: The Fab 4's biggest hit, with 9 weeks at the top of the charts, this is a song I always let under my skin....

Last edited on Feb 14, 2008



I_thumb_up My List of the Best Music Ever! is recommended by MikeMaroon

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about MikeMaroon’s Review

 


williampinn wrote on Apr 5, 2008 at 9:48PM

Ditto on all the songs the list except for maby two. Look forward to reading your part 2.

Telpher wrote on Mar 23, 2008 at 5:57PM

I really like some of your choices.

ChrisJarmick wrote on Feb 22, 2008 at 3:27PM

not a bad list... and thanks very much for gettin' this going.

Bravo !!!!

Pinkfrogs wrote on Feb 11, 2008 at 3:39AM

Ok, then make it 19, maybe add these 2 songs. Two of my favs: MISS AMERICA by STYX and I LIKE TO ROCK by APRIL WINE. And, like you, I still listen to awesome music of The King.

LaurieM wrote on Feb 10, 2008 at 10:15AM

I love these songs!! Great review Mike. Where's MY CD?

LaurieM wrote on Feb 10, 2008 at 10:15AM

I love these songs!! Great review Mike. Where's MY CD? Doh! This posted twice and I don't know how to delete it. Oh well. Two of me is always better than one!!! Hehehehe

PattyTherre wrote on Feb 9, 2008 at 10:53AM

Top 17, eh? Tell me three more to make 20. And please add a Garth Brooks and Bon Jovi song to the mix! lol.
Excellent job. :)

OldHippie wrote on Feb 8, 2008 at 8:17PM

OK...I added my Top 17. Keep 'em guessing about your sanity. Not a Top 10 or 20, but 17.

MikeMaroon wrote on Feb 7, 2008 at 5:01PM

In response to Jolie's comment from Feb 7, 2008 at 1:33PM:

I have no problem with that. Anything for correctness sake! Besides, sometimes we brain-dead hicks need correction!"

joyjoy wrote on Feb 7, 2008 at 1:58PM

I like the fact that you were really drunk the day your mom got out of prison. That one gave me a good laugh. Hey Jude is one of my favorites too.

Jolie wrote on Feb 7, 2008 at 1:33PM

Great list. I hope you dont mind I changed your title for you! :)

mrkstvns wrote on Feb 7, 2008 at 1:25PM

Great tunes here, Dude!!!

AmyA wrote on Feb 7, 2008 at 1:17PM

WOW so many great songs...I still my Don McLean ...American Pie my fav on there. Super job on these...I am going to have tunes stuck in my head all afternoon...it's all good.

Jo wrote on Feb 7, 2008 at 12:52PM

Great job; great picks. Wonder which song I'll have in my head for the rest of the day? :) Jo